North Carolina vs South Carolina
posted Aug 30
The Game
It’s the BATTLE OF CAROLINA as the Tar Heels take on the Gamecocks on Saturday night! North Carolina and South Carolina fans love to debate who’s allowed to be called “CAROLINA” but we have no dog in that fight. We love both states and can’t waif for Saturday. UNC made the ACC title game LY but were buried by Clemson (L 39-10). The COCKS won eight games in 2022 and managed to pull yuuuge upsets over Tennessee and Clemson in back-to-back weeks.
Let’s goooooooooo!
The Details
North Carolina -2.5 South Carolina (64.5)
MEGALOCKS LINE – North Carolina -3
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: North Carolina 33.5 South Carolina 31
North Carolina offense vs South Carolina defense
QB Drake Maye is one of the best players in college football and a legitimate Heisman contender who put up awesome stats in 2022 (4,321, 38-7 TD to INT, 698 rush, 7 TD). They’ve got a devastating collection of RBs that should be able to work effectively against the SOFT UNDERBELLY of the SC defense (198 YPG rush yds allowed LY). Maye will be working without his top-two WRs from LY’s squad and it’s 50-50 (or worse) as we approach press time as to whether or not star transfer WR D Walker will be granted eligibility from the scumbag NCAA elite. SC only has 4 RS on defense and recall that they booked a mere 20 sacks in 13G in 2022. UNC has had major issues allowing sacks the L2Y and that may not be an issue on Saturday. We expect North Carolina to be very efficient on offense.
South Carolina offense vs North Carolina defense
The COCKS started to look pretty good on offense late last season scoring 63,31,38 in their final three contests. QB S Rattler is a bit of a loose cannon (18-12 TD to INT LY) and he’ll be without four of the top-five pass catchers from LY’s squad as well as the top-two RBs. They also only return a pair of starters on the OL one year removed from allowing 31 sacks and averaging a paltry 119 YPG on the ground. UNC’s defense was disgusting LY but they’ve got a decent-looking DL (vs the run) and eight returning starters to work with on Saturday. The LB group looks good but the secondary is still a major concern. UNC only booked 17 sacks in 2022 so Rattler will be able to do some damage.
Trends, Intangibles and More!
South Carolina has one of the best special teams units in the nation and they’ll have to lean on those guys heavily on Saturday….COCKS HC Shane Beamer is 10-4 SU at home but just 5-7 SU in road/neutral site games…..Weather forecast looks perfect as we approach press time……NOTE that this game is being played in CHARLOTTE, NC.
Summary
We’re not a fan of the overall South Carolina roster and think that Rattler will make one or two more critical mistakes than Maye over the course of four quarters. As noted above South Carolina has been better when CIRCLING THE WAGONS at home during the Beamer regime so that works in the Tar Heels’ favor this Saturday.
Conclusion
Lean – North Carolina -2.5
(as with all games, eligible for upgrade to official play status later in the week)
Note:
‘Official play’ implies we have played the game for our standard wager amount.
‘Lean’ implies we are comfortable suggesting ‘small potatoes’ on the game if you want to get down on some sweet action.
‘No leanage’ implies we won’t be involved in the game from a betting standpoint. In-game wagering possibilities only.